Art. 1281.4 Types of adoption

When someone in Louisiana wants to adopt a child from another country, the process depends on whether that country has signed on to an international agreement called the Hague Adoption Convention. This law lays out the only two ways that intercountry adoptions can happen in Louisiana, and it says these are the exclusive paths, meaning no other process can be used.

The first type covers adoptions from countries that have not joined the Hague Adoption Convention. The second type covers adoptions from countries that have joined it. Each type follows its own set of rules and steps, which are explained in other parts of this law.

In simple terms, this rule tells families where to start. Before you can figure out what paperwork you need or what steps to follow, you first need to know whether the child's home country is part of the Hague Adoption Convention. That answer determines which legal path applies to the adoption.